Analysis and Design Approaches for CLT Shearwalls Subjected to Lateral Loads

Multi-panel Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) wall systems can be considered as valid alternative to the traditional monolithic CLT walls. Such walls typically comprise of narrow panels, commonly of equal lengths that are vertically jointed together by means of mechanical fasteners. Several benefits can be attained from such wall configuration especially regarding increasing the energy dissipation. Despite the increasing availability of such systems and recent development in research, simplified approaches based on the static theorem, are still predominantly the common design practice. Since these design methods embody significant limitations, an analytical approach is presented in this paper to predict the elasto-plastic behaviour of a CLT wall subjected to a lateral force and a uniform vertical distributed load. The analysis is limited to a two-panel wall, where two distinct behaviours (Single Wall and Coupled Panel) can be achieved. The analysis of the wall behaviour is presented as a function of the relative stiffness of the holddown and the vertical joints. Analytical expressions are proposed for the calculation of the wall behaviour and contemporary design methods are evaluated for their suitability in assessing the behaviour of a simple two-panel wall configuration.